Curves Galore - Yuki Kamiya Jewelry

From curved metal rings to swirled

art nouveau-inspired necklaces, bangles and earrings

Yuki Kamiya creates graceful jewelry

full of curlicues, flourishes and

decorative twists.

The organic motifs and characteristic curves

of metal catch the light and the attention

of everyone around.

 Her two-finger rings are especially eye catching.



 



 

 

 

 

 

The highly-stylized, sinuous lines twirl, twist,
flow and undulate in never-ending patterns.

 

Be sure to see more at Yuki Kamiya's website.

 



Layers of Dimension & Texture - Betsy Baker Jewelry

Betsy Baker interprets in polymer clay

 various smooth and textured surfaces of

natural materials like marble, rock, sand, linen

and paper, using numerous mixed-media

surface techniques. Once that portion of her work

is done it's then combined with a focal point of

hand-forged fine and sterling silver.

Her meticulous attention to surface effects allows

for a wide range of patterns and textures, as well as

investigations of color, dimension and geometric forms.

These forms blend harmoniously

with those tiny focal points. Each embellishment is

protectively placed into a recessed opening

 reminiscent of a window or portal to

another enchanting dimension.

 

There is a lot to admire and to enjoy in her jewelry. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One's attention is continuously drawn to 

multiple levels of distinctive

dimensional and textural effects. 

It's not easy to select a favorite.

 

Be sure to visit Betsy Baker's website
to see all of her work.

 

New Book - Jewelbook: International Annual of Contemporary Jewel Art

There's a new book being published

 December 16, 2012

 featuring 276 international artists

from almost 40 countries showing more

 than 570 pieces of contemporary art jewelry.

 

It's called, "Jewelbook: International Annual

of Contemporary Jewel Art."

Sounds promising.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their publicity describes it as,

Contemporary jewelry is unquestionably the result of thousands of years of history and research, with present-day jewelers still using the same precious metals and stones as their predecessors, but without ceasing to renovate, reinvent and experiment with materials, techniques and concepts.

 

Jewelbook is the result of international teamwork, showing contemporary jewelry handcrafted by the world's finest modern jewelry artists.

Jewelbook not only illustrates the most innovative works in contemporary jewelry but also offers support to jewelry as a cultural expression of our time and is destined to become an important reference work in this field of art. A tool to make jewelers even more aware of what happens on an international level and to encourage the exchange of ideas and techniques.

 

I'd say this would make an inviting coffee table book

for guests while supplying a source of

inspiration for jewelry artists.
 

Maya Kotelnitskaya Jewelry

Captivating design is a hallmark of

the jewelry created by

 Maya Kotelnitskaya.

Her diverse jewelry

is a combination of casting and hand

fabricating techniques that result in structured

yet contemporary designs.

I especially like her eclectic rings and cuffs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, silver and gemstones become
beautiful pieces of creativity.

There is a lot more to see

at her website.

 

Exhibition - Nicole Polentas Jewelry

Gallery Loupe will be exhibiting work by

Nicole Polentas from

November 17 through December 1. 
 

The exhibit is titled, Psychomanteum,

(a term referring to the ancient practice of
communicating with the

spiritual realm; in the psychomanteum,
the oracles would gaze into a

still pool of water to see the future.)
 

 This artist uses this notion of a psychomanteum

to display her work, create a mood,
and re-connect with her familial and cultural history:

. . . she draws on her Greek heritage for inspiration and for the unique manner in which she exhibits her current body of work - in a setting meant to depict the psychomanteum - the naturally occurring rockpools of myth where ancient Greeks would go to consult the oracles . . . The installation includes water in order to re-create the aquatic area where one could commune with the gods. The jewelry pieces themselves are fascinating and intricate constructions of metal wire and steel sheets, sterling silver, plastic and paint, ornamented with personal photographs . . . a bridge to her sense of belonging to a place she is rooted but no longer lives - her past and present become connected in her very personal jewelry. . .

 

It's interesting to see how the artist

 creates autobiographical

jewelry by using

metal sheets and wires along with plastic,

paint and personal photographs

to link directly back to her homeland

and personal history. 

 

 See more at Gallery Loupe.

 

 

Lisa Colby Jewelry

Metalsmith Lisa Colby designs

her visions in silver then adds
gold, gemstones or found objects.
I especially like how her work
shows the mark of the human hand.

 In other words, I like how she
speaks metal.

 

She explains her work,

I create jewelry that is fabricated entirely by hand. One of the techniques I employ is that of melting sterling silver and manipulating this material while it is hot to achieve the organic shapes often seen in my designs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more views of all her varied collections
see Lisa Colby's website.
 

Catalina Brenes Jewelry

Resin in a plastic bag may not sound

like an appropriate combination for jewelry

yet Catalina Brenes creates pieces

that are really eye catching and intriguing.

She has three distinct collections, but it's those

resin-filled plastics that consistently
catch my eye.

Experimenting with materials such as silver,
gemstones, natural pigments, found objects,
pearls and 24 KT gold foil, this artist explains how she
creates with an eye towards whimsy and play,

... I need materials that let me make mistakes . . . Something that allows me to play, to enjoy the creating process. Feel the material to unleash the inner child. . .  and when I’m ready it becomes a game. . . I need my small toys, resin and pigments to preserve that second. That’s when the plastic bag becomes my canvas.

 

 You can all of her collections on
 her website and at Not Just A Label. 

 

Surface Effects on Mixed Metals - Sharrey Doré Jewelry

Hand-fabricated pieces made in sterling silver

 and 14K gold, work by Sharrey Doré delightfully

 combines various elements, textures,

and pattern effects in the creation of

contemporary jewelry.

This artist is a metalsmith with innovative ideas
each beautifully expressed by
a compelling design with a strong
 architectural or Asian influence.

Using techniques such as reticulation, fusing
and embossing, she purposely sets out to explore
and develop her own processes in
surface texturing and patterning on metal.

The results are lovely one-of-a-kind
 miniature sculptures.

 

I especially love her pieces featuring
gold granulation over silver.
It enhances that striking contrast
between the gold and silver.

 

 

 

 Be sure to visit Sharrey Doré's website

to see more of this beautiful mixed-metal work.

 

 

 

Fun and Colorful - Liz Hall Jewelry

 Colorful jewelry created by Liz Hall

makes me think of fun every time I see it.

Her work is recognizable yet most of it

is one of a kind.

Creating her elaborate work with PMC

and embellishing it with stones, polymer clay,

 glass, or whatever other found objects

 may catch her eye, this artist

has a wonderful ability to translate her ideas

into delightful and intricate compositions

of ever-changing patterns and sequences.

It never gets dull.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a whole lot more to
see on her website.